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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

India to pay homage at Ethiopian leader’s funeral

(Aug 28, 2012, New Delhi, IANS)--Minister of State for
External Affairs Preneet Kaur will represent India at the Sep 2 state
funeral of Ethiopia’s long-time leader Meles Zenawi.

Kaur will be accompanied by senior officials of the external affairs
ministry, including Ravi Bangar, joint secretary in charge of east and
south Africa, said government sources.

Officials move a portrait of PM Zenawi shortly after an announcement of his death (Reuters Pictures)

Zenawi’s
over two-decade-long prime ministerial tenure saw the blossoming of
bilateral relations between India and Ethiopia. He died Aug 20 due to
illness at age 57. His funeral will be attended by a host of African and world leaders. Zenawi is widely credited for transforming Ethiopia, which was known
for famine and disease, into one of Africa’s fastest growing economies.
He also carved a niche for himself as the voice of Africa and is known
for his peace initiatives.

India is the second-largest foreign investor in Ethiopia with investments of about $5 billion. Amid accusations by some critics of land grabbing by Indian companies
in Ethiopia, Zenawi had famously said that “Indians do not come to
colonise, but to help develop Africa”.

In a
condolence message, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded Zenawi’s “long
and distinguished public service and his contribution towards
consolidation of peace, progress and development of Ethiopia and
effectively strengthening Africa’s global engagements”. “India’s close and friendly relations with Ethiopia acquired greater substance under his leadership,” he said.